Custom Pet Sweatshirt: Colors, Styles, Sizing & Dog Mom Ideas

What is a custom pet sweatshirt?

A custom pet sweatshirt (also called a pet portrait sweatshirt or pet face crewneck) is a sweatshirt printed with artwork made from a photo of your own pet. The photo isn't simply pasted on. It's first turned into a finished illustration in the style you choose, such as a cartoon face, a watercolor or a royal portrait, and the background is removed so the pet sits on the fabric like a proper graphic instead of a rectangle.

On our crewneck the portrait is centered on the chest, with the top of the design about 3 inches below the collar. Your pet's name goes in bold capitals directly under the portrait, an optional headline arcs above it, and an optional small second line can sit under the name. The live preview on the product page shows exactly where everything lands before you pay.

The blank itself is a Comfort Colors 1566: a garment-dyed crewneck in 80/20 ring-spun cotton and polyester. Garment-dyed means the sweatshirt is dyed after it's sewn, which gives it that soft, slightly faded, broken-in look from the first wear.

Custom dog sweatshirt ideas (and the cat version)

A custom dog sweatshirt is the most common version of this gift, and it suits almost any dog. Short-coated breeds with crisp markings, like a Boxer, a Beagle or a Frenchie, look sharp in cartoon and pop art. Fluffy dogs like a Goldendoodle or a Husky get a lot of texture in watercolor and vintage 90s. If your dog has a distinctive feature, such as one floppy ear or a white blaze, choose a photo that shows it clearly, because that's what makes people recognize them instantly.

A custom cat sweatshirt works exactly the same way. Upload a clear photo of your cat, pick a style and add the name. Tuxedo cats, orange tabbies and Siamese cats have the kind of contrast that prints beautifully, and CAT MOM or CAT DAD makes a great headline. For more ideas, browse our cat portraits and dog portraits.

Two pets can share one sweatshirt. Upload one clear photo of each and they're combined into the same artwork, for $15 per extra pet.

Sweatshirt vs. hoodie: which should you choose?

Both carry the same kind of portrait, name and headline. The real differences are the cut, the feel and where the design sits. A crewneck has a clean, flat chest, so the portrait can be taller and sit at the classic chest height. A hoodie has a kangaroo pocket, so the design sits higher and a little smaller to stay above it.

• Pick the crewneck when you want the portrait to be the star and the softer, vintage-wash look. It's also easier to wear under a jacket.
• Pick the [custom pet hoodie](/products/custom-pet-hoodie) for someone who's always cold, or who wants a hood for early dog walks.
• Not sure? Think about what the person already wears on weekends and match it.

Which sweatshirt color suits which art style?

Our crewneck comes in eight garment-dyed colors: Pepper (a soft washed charcoal), White, True Navy, Blue Jean (a dusty denim blue), Grey, Light Green (a muted sage), Orchid (a pale lavender) and Butter (a warm, soft yellow). Because they're garment-dyed, all of them look a little muted and lived-in rather than bright.

The rule of thumb is contrast. Bold, colorful styles need a darker or mid-tone base to pop, while delicate styles need a light one so the fine lines don't disappear. Every style shows on your chosen color in the free preview, so you can try a few combinations before deciding.

Which art styles can you put on a sweatshirt?

Apparel gets the styles that print cleanly on fabric: cartoon face, minimal line art, vintage 90s, watercolor, pop art, The King, The Queen, Superhero, Astronaut, Santa Paws and Christmas Sweater. Each one is cut out from its background so it sits on the sweatshirt like a printed graphic.

Cartoon face is the safest choice for a gift because it reads clearly from across a room and suits every color. Vintage 90s is the statement piece, the retro bootleg-tee look with lightning and smoke. Royal and Superhero portraits are the funny ones that start conversations. Line art is the understated option for someone who prefers a quieter look.

Dog mom sweatshirt: what to write on it

The dog mom sweatshirt is a favorite choice for this product: her dog's face, the dog's name, and DOG MOM arched across the top. The crewneck gives you three text lines to play with, and you can use one, two or all three.

• Headline above the portrait (up to 16 characters, arched): DOG MOM, DOG DAD, CAT MOM, CAT DAD, BEST FRIEND, DOG GRANDMA or MY HEART.
• Name under the portrait (up to 18 characters): MAX, LUNA, SIR WAFFLES, or two names like MAX & LUNA for a two-pet design.
• Second line under the name (up to 28 characters, small spaced capitals): EST. 2019, GOTCHA DAY 03.14.21, GOOD BOY SINCE 2020 or the town you live in.
• Keep it short. The fewer letters, the bigger they print. DOG MOM reads well from across a room; a long sentence turns into small type.
• Spell-check the name. It's printed exactly as typed, so double-check spellings like Bailey vs. Baylee.

What size sweatshirt should I get?

The Comfort Colors 1566 has a unisex, relaxed cut, available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL. Most people order their usual unisex size for a classic, comfortable fit. If you want the oversized look that's popular for sweatshirts, with longer sleeves and a slouchier body, go one size up. Check the size chart on the product page if you're between sizes.

When it's a gift, look at a sweatshirt the person already wears and loves. If they tend to wear things loose, size up; if they like a neater fit with a collared shirt underneath, stick with their usual size. Garment-dyed cotton is pre-washed during dyeing, so the fit you get is the fit you keep with normal care.

Photo tips for a sharp sweatshirt print

The illustration can only be as good as the photo it starts from. On a sweatshirt the portrait is printed large, so small blur shows. These habits make the biggest difference:

• Use daylight near a window, and skip the flash.
• Shoot at eye level and let the head fill most of the frame.
• Keep both ears in the picture; cropped ears are the most common problem.
• Make sure the eyes are in focus, and avoid filters or portrait-mode blur.
• For two pets, upload one clear photo of each rather than one photo of both.

How to wash a custom sweatshirt

Turn the sweatshirt inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low. That protects the print from rubbing and keeps the fabric soft. Garment-dyed fabric softens further with every wash, so it tends to feel better the longer you have it.

Avoid bleach, skip the iron directly on the print and don't dry clean it. Dog hair tip: a lint roller works best when the sweatshirt is dry, so roll it before it goes in the wash, not after.

Custom pet sweatshirt for Christmas

A custom pet sweatshirt makes a strong Christmas gift because it gets worn all winter, not just on the day. Two holiday styles are available on our apparel: [Christmas Sweater](/styles/christmas-sweater), which paints your pet in a festive knitted sweater, and [Santa Paws](/styles/christmas-santa), a cozy portrait in a Santa hat. A Christmas Sweater portrait on a Pepper or True Navy crewneck is about as close to an ugly-sweater party outfit as a pet portrait gets.

For delivery before Christmas in the continental US, order by December 10. Each sweatshirt is made in 2–4 business days and ships in 3–5. Packing slips never show prices, so just enter their address at checkout and it ships straight to them. More holiday ideas in our Christmas gifts for dog lovers guide.

Matching family sets and bundle savings

Matching family outfits are one of the nicest uses of a pet portrait. Use the same portrait on a crewneck for one parent, a hoodie for the other and a custom pet kids shirt for the little ones, and the family photo makes itself. Change the headline for each person: DOG MOM, DOG DAD and BEST FRIEND.

Bundles make sets much easier on the budget: 15% off 2 items, 20% off 3 and 25% off 5 or more, applied automatically in the cart. Two crewnecks at $64.99 come to $110.48 with the 15% bundle, and the order qualifies for free US shipping, which kicks in over $75. If a sweatshirt feels like too much for summer, the custom dog shirt uses the same layout on a soft tee from $39.99; our custom dog shirt guide covers it in detail.

How much does a custom pet sweatshirt cost?

Our crewneck is $64.99 in sizes S–XL and $67.99 in 2XL and 3XL, with the name, headline and second line included. Each extra pet in the artwork adds $15. US shipping is a flat $6.99 and free on orders over $75, so a sweatshirt plus a mug or ornament ships free. Every piece is printed and shipped in the USA.

The preview is free: you see your pet's portrait in seconds and only pay once you love it. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 10% of every order goes, in full, to animal rescue. For more gift inspiration, see our dog mom gifts guide.

Frequently asked questions